We continue the series of the largest employers in the U.S. This time we focus on Walmart. We will tell you:
- how to apply for Walmart,
- what are the positions at Walmart,
- how to prepare for a Walmart interview,
- how to answer the most popular Walmart interview questions,
- how much does Walmart pay.
Walmart is the largest private employer in the world. Walmart hires around 2.2 million employees, out of which 1.3 million only in the U.S. It operates in almost 30 countries and owns more than 10,000 stores (source: industryweek.com). Every year, Walmart serves more than 250.000.000 customers!
Founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, Walmart evolved from a one-store company into a multinational retail corporation operating thousands of hypermarkets, discount stores, and grocery stores.
It offers a wide range of products and services. At Walmart, you can find almost everything starting from food, household, and beauty products, through clothing, toys, and electronics to auto and garden supplies. When it comes to the most popular Walmart services, the customers have multiple options: grocery delivery, custom cakes, home services (cleaning, furniture assembling, etc.), auto services (auto care and tire centers, etc.), health services (pharmacies, vision centers, etc.) and many others.
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How to apply for Walmart?
If you are interested in working for Walmart, check the current open positions at Walmart Careers Center. You can apply directly online (after free registration) or you can submit your application in person in any Walmart store – search for special cubicles in the Customer Service Center. Note that in the U.S., the applications in both English and Spanish are accepted.
What are the positions at Walmart?
Walmart offers many positions at different levels. All the job descriptions and the current openings in your location are available on Walmart’s official website.
When it comes to entry-level jobs, the candidates can choose between the several position types: cashier, fresh food associate, grocery stocker, sales associate, stocker, overnight stocker, warehouse worker, pharmacy technician, and others.
The most popular higher positions at Walmart are retail supervisor, retail department manager, customer service supervisor, customer service manager, quality assurance associate, pharmacist, warehouse supervisor.
How to prepare for a Walmart Interview?
- Research the company.
- Review the job description.
- Review your resume (application form).
- Think of what you will wear.
- Plan the route to the interview.
- Check the most popular Walmart interview questions and think of the answers.
- Prepare your own questions for the interviewer.
Walmart Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself?
This question opens the majority of the job interviews. Before an interview, prepare a short introduction about yourself, including your current role (or experience), your biggest accomplishments, education path, training, and certifications. Remember to show yourself in the best light. Focus on what could be the most interesting for the interviewer and what relates to your future position and responsibilities. If you need more advice, check our article “Tell me about yourself” question in an interview.
What can you tell me about Walmart?
This is one of the most popular Walmart interview questions. It is impossible not to know Walmart but what you already know may not be enough to impress the interviewer and increase your chances over the other candidates.
Prepare for this question in advance. Do the research, read about Walmart’s history, organizational structure, strategy, culture, and social responsibility. Also, to be up-to-date with the latest news and offers, be sure to check the company’s website and social media. And finally, be ready to explain what you think of Walmart, what is your experience and opinion.
What does EDLP mean?
It is also a very popular Walmart interview question. Together with EDLC (Every Day Low Cost), EDLP (Every Day Low Prices) is Walmart’s strategy to build the customers’ trust and loyalty.
“Our model is simple: We take costs out of our business and pass the savings along to customers. We call it the “productivity loop.” By operating for less, we can lower our prices. Having low prices drives traffic to our stores and increases sales. That allows us to again lower expenses and further lower prices. We work directly with suppliers and local farmers to lower prices for our customers. That is the key to our success and our ability to deliver for the people who shop with us.” (source: cdn.corporate.walmart.com)
What is the best-selling item at Walmart?
According to the report published by Walmart.com, the top-selling items since 2010 include notebooks, TVs, and small tech products (iPods, iPads, etc.).
Why do you want to work at Walmart?
You probably have multiple reasons to apply for Walmart but during an interview, don’t make an impression that money is your main motivation. The best would be not to mention money at all. Focus on the other advantages of working at Walmart: global brand work experience, flexible working schedule, development opportunities, training, and other benefits. Also, spend a minute or two and think why actually you chose Walmart and not any of its competitors (selling products at the lowest prices, convenient store location, etc.).
How do you understand good customer service?
The majority of the job positions at Walmart require great customer service skills. This is why this is one of the most frequently asked Walmart interview questions.
There is no one definition of “good customer service” but it is often described as addressing all the customers’ needs and ensuring that they have a positive experience. And there is a whole set of skills behind what we call “excellent customer service skills”: communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, active listening, friendliness, empathy, patience, etc. Don’t forget that to provide high customer service, it is also necessary to have a good knowledge of the products, offers, etc.
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What are your biggest strengths?
This and the next questions are also the questions that you will most probably get during your Walmart interview. The best strategy for this question is to choose the strength which happens to be one of the skills needed for your position. As we have already mentioned, many positions at Walmart require excellent customer service skills but also commercial awareness, a knack for organization, and basic math. Think about which of these correspond to you best and have some examples proving that what you are saying is true.
What are your biggest weaknesses?
When it comes to this question, two strategies will work. The first strategy is to focus on something that is not directly related to your future responsibilities (like lack of spontaneity). Another strategy is to mention a weakness which, depending on a situation, can be considered either as a disadvantage or an advantage (like being unable to lie). Don’t try to convince the interviewer that you have no weak point. Instead, show your self-awareness and the readiness to improve them.
How do you handle conflicts in the workplace?
This is also one of the most popular Walmart interview questions. The conflicts and tensions cannot be avoided if we work with the people and for the people. It is completely normal.
If you are by nature a non-conflict person, it will be definitely an advantage but keep in mind that avoiding conflicts is already a big disadvantage. In the long run, avoiding confrontation always turns to be a bad solution. The best strategy to deal with conflict situations is to de-escalate the tension, address the problem, and finally turn a negative into a positive by coming together to constructive conclusions and the lessons for the future.
How would you handle a verbally abusive customer?
Firstly, do not take such situations personally. Here again, the best thing to do would be to calm the situation down and secure that it won’t impact other customers and the rest of the team members. Even if it is hard, try to remain calm, show them empathy, and listen to what a customer has to say. Don’t look to blame and don’t get involved in the verbal fights. Focus instead on finding a solution. If a satisfactory solution or compromise cannot be found, the best thing to do next would be to follow the company policy and call your supervisor.
What would you do if a customer asks for an unavailable product?
If you apply for a position that includes direct interaction with the clients, most probably you will have to handle this kind of situation. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to help the customer.
Firstly, double-check if the product is indeed unavailable. It is possible that it changed its place. Check on the store shelves, ask your colleague if he/she knows where it is. Check in the stock and the system). Check in the system if this item is available online or in another Target store. If yes, you can book it for a customer or order the delivery to your store. If none of this helps, you can finally suggest to the client some alternatives (another model, another brand, etc.).
What would you do if your supervisors gave you two different priorities?
This is also a frequently asked question during the interviews at Walmart. This is an example of a conflict situation. In such situations, as always the key to success is communication. It is not up to you to decide which task to prioritize. Talk to both the supervisors, explain the situation, and ask what you should do. I can guarantee you that in 99% of the cases, they were not aware that they gave you the conflicting instructions and they will be able to tell you clearly what to do first and what to do next.
What hours are you available?
Many positions at Walmart require a lot of flexibility when it comes to working hours. It has of course the advantages and disadvantages.
The candidates’ availability is one of the most important selection criteria during the interviews. In short, the more available you are, the better chance you have to get the job.
The advantage of this situation is that work schedules are flexible and adjustable, so if you have any other fixed activities (school, etc.), you will be probably able to make it. Before an interview, prepare a list of all your activities, be specific and honest. Precise your availability on weekends and holidays – if you are busy during the week but free on weekends (or vice versa), you may be the person they are looking for.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
You can be almost sure to get this question during your Walmart interview, regardless of the position you apply for. Hiring and later training the new employees, the companies consider an investment. If you make it clear that you intend to stay in this company for many years, you automatically increase your chances of getting hired. Check Careers center on walmart.com and find for yourself an interesting position that you could aim at. If you apply for a cashier position, maybe in the future you would like to become a supervisor or a manager?
“We [Walmart] promote over 510 people every day, and 36% of promotions go to first-year associates! 66% of Store Managers began as hourly associates.” (source: walmart.com).
Do you have any questions for us?
This question is a great opportunity for you as a candidate to know more about the company and the position you apply for. Choose your questions carefully. On the one hand, try to get the replies you the questions which are really bothering you, but on the other hand, use them to express your interest in the company and motivation to work. You can use the list below as an inspiration. If you need more, check our article about 50 unique questions to ask the interviewer.
- What are your expectations for a person in this position?
- What would be my day-to-day responsibilities?
- Does this position involve working overtime?
- What team I would be working in?
- Do you offer any training programs?
This was the last of the 15 most popular Walmart interview questions 2022.
How much does Walmart pay?
All the positions at Walmart have pre-defined salary ranges. As per payscale.com, the average salary at Walmart is $13/hour. It all depends on your job title and experience. Cashiers, stockers, sales associates, and warehouse workers can count on a salary between $9/hour and $16/hour. Pharmacy technicians, supervisors, and managers earn between $12/hour and $20/hour. Pharmacists, IT engineers, and developers can make from $23/hour up to even $76/hour.
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